Improvement in scythe-fastenings



, D- CLARK.

Scythe. I No. 7,985. 7 Patented March 18.1851;

N. PETERS PhuQb-Uthngnphar, lllllllll .C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER CLARK, OF MEDINA, OHIO.

IM PROVEM ENT lNSCYTHE-FASTENINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 7,985, dated March 19, 1851.

To all whom t'tmay concern.-

Be it known that I, OLIVER CLARK, of Medina, in the county of Medina and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Scythes for Mowing and for other Purposes'in which Scythes are Used; and I do hereby. declare that the following is a full, clear,'and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan showing the end or heel of the snath and the shank of the blade secured to it. Fig. 3 is a section cutting the blade transversely through 0 0, Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a longitudinal section of the blade through the line 1 2, Fig. 2, and exhibiting the manner of its-securement to the snath. Fig. 5 is a diagram on an enlarged scale, showing the cavity in the ring or ferrule on the heel of the snath in which the shank of the blade fits and works. Fig. 6

exhibits one modification of the manner in which the shank of the blade may be secured to the snath.

The same letters of reference throughout theseveral figures denote similarparts.

The nature of my invention consists in forming the shank of the blade of a curved or arched shape both on its sides and edges, the shank longitudinally representing a sweep or part of a beveled ring of equal width, both the upper and lower arch being struck from one center, and the back edge transversely of the shank forming also an arch struck from the inner edge, which formsa center of motion,

and is rounded,so as to work smoothly in its socket, thus enabling the scythe to be adjusted in four directions and to out either up or down, out or in; and my invention further consists in constructing the snath with a ring or ferrule on the heel otit having a projection in which is a suitable cavity for the shank of the blade to be adjusted and secured in, the cavity or space being so formed and of sutficient width as that the shank may be worked in or out or to either side, to give to the blade the four cuts, as before described, the shank being secured in this cavity by gib or key and wedge.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my'invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A is the snath of the scythe, made of any suitable material and shape.

B B is a metal ring or ferrule fitted on the heel of the snath, and having a projection, a, in and through which is a cavity or space for the shank of the blade to fit and work in. This. cavity is widest atthat part in which the back edge of the blade sits.

C is the shank, and D the blade, of the soy the, The shank O in its longitudinal direction forms, as it were, in shape an arch or a portion of a ring, as seen more particularly in Figs. 1 and 4, beingot' a sweep struck from one center or thereabout, and also on its back or outer edge' being transversely of a cross or second arch described from its inner edge, which serves as a center of motion for the movement of the shank toward either side of the cavity. (Seen more especially in Fig. 3, and as represented by diagram Fig. 5.)

E is a gib or key, and F a wedge passing through the cavity of the projection a, and used for tightening up the shank when the blade is set at its required angle with the snath. The key E is made on itsinner side of curves corresponding to the form of the back edge of the shank U, so as to bite firmly on it,

The operation is as follows: By striking the wedge at its thin end and loosening the gib or key E, the blade may he set in. directions as shown in red and hluelines, Fig. 4, the shank 0 moving in or out, as required, on the inner surface of the cavity in the projection a, formed of a similar sweep to the inner longitudinal arch of the shank U; or the shank 0 may be set toward either side of the cavity in the projection a, (see Fig. 3, and as represented by colored dotted lines in Fig. 5,) thus giving two further directions to the blade D. The movements shown in colored lines, Fig. 4, cause the blade to mow or cutwhat is termed in or outthat is, throwing the substance out toward or from the mower--and the move ments shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5 give to the edge of the blade an inclination upward or downward or straight, as may be, causing the scythe to cut horizontally or at an angle up or down, as required, according to circumstances, either form of set shown by Figs. 4 and 5 being used separately or combined.

Fig. 6 represents a modification of the same arrangementfor setting the blade as described,

the shank having a curved slot in it and tightened up by apin passing through a snug or projecting piece on which the curved slot Works.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.. Making the shank G of curved or arch form longitudinally, as described, which enables it to be fitted to the snath so as it may be setin or out by giving it a slight motion in a curved direction.

2. The mode of securing the shank C so as to admit of the edge of the blade being set up or down by making the cavity in the projection a through which the shank passes widest at the back, and making the back edge of the shank and the inner side of the tightening-key E of corresponding arch form transversely, so that the shank may be held secure in any position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, before two subscribing witnesses, this 19th day of November, 1850.

OLIVER CLARK.

Witnesses:

L. O. WILLARD, G. V. WILLARD. 

